Introduction:
In today’s world of cooking, traditional flavors meet modern techniques. As we venture into the heart of culinary exploration, we seek to retain the essence of traditional recipes while leveraging the precision and consistency of cutting-edge culinary technology. Our experiment of the day? The classic Indian favorite, Chicken Tikka Masala, cooked sous-vide.
Why Sous-vide for Tikka Masala?
Sous-vide, a French term meaning “under vacuum”, is a method where food is placed in a plastic pouch and cooked in a water bath at a precise temperature. This ensures even, perfect cooking every single time. So, why not use it for a dish as iconic as Tikka Masala? By cooking the chicken sous-vide, we aim to achieve unparalleled tenderness while preserving its rich, marinated flavors.
Ingredients:
1. Chicken breasts: 2 (boneless and skinless)
2. Yogurt: 1/2 cup
3. Ginger-garlic paste: 2 tsp
4. Tikka masala spices (garam masala, cumin, turmeric, red chili powder): as per taste
5. Lemon juice: 1 tbsp
6. Salt: to taste
7. Tomato puree: 1 cup
8. Cream: 1/2 cup
9. Onion: 1, finely chopped
10. Fresh coriander: for garnish
Method:
1. Marination: In a bowl, mix the yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, tikka masala spices, lemon juice, and salt. Coat the chicken breasts with the marinade and let it rest for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
2. Sous-vide Cooking: Seal the marinated chicken in a vacuum pouch. Preheat your sous-vide machine to 145°F (62.8°C). Once ready, immerse the chicken pouch and cook for 1 to 1.5 hours.
3. Tikka Masala Sauce: In a pan, sauté onions until translucent. Add the tomato puree and cook until the raw smell disappears. Pour in the cream, adjust seasoning, and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Searing: Post sous-vide, take out the chicken and sear it on a hot pan for that characteristic char.
5. Serving: Slice the chicken, pour the tikka masala sauce over it, garnish with fresh coriander, and serve hot with naan or rice.
Conclusion:
The sous-vide Chicken Tikka Masala introduces a whole new level of tenderness to the dish. The even, slow cooking ensures that the chicken retains its moisture, making every bite a heavenly experience. The future of culinary arts truly lies in the harmonious merger of the old and new.